Project Lead: Erica Frenay, Connor Youngerman
Give Trees a Chance
Agroforestry describes a wide range of practices that integrate trees, forests, and agricultural production. These systems can be adapted to almost any site and condition, and can help farmers produce new revenue while buffering their operations from the challenges of climate extremes.
In response to increasing interest in agroforestry over the years, Cornell has created an extension program work team and a number of tools and resources to help farmers turn forested and marginal lands into productive contributors to farm revenue, produce multiple crops from the same piece of land in a symbiotic way, all while increasing biodiversity and improving soil health.
History of Agroforestry at Cornell
Cornell University faculty, Extension, and other staff have been leading agroforestry research and education efforts for 100 years!
Agroforestry Resources by Practice
Join our email list to hear about new resources as they’re added.
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Silvopasture
Silvopasture is the thoughtful integration of trees, forage, and livestock in a managed system that provides shade…
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Urban Food Forests (coming soon!)
Coming Soon!
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Alley Cropping (Coming Soon!)
More details coming soon! Nut Production Resources: Key Contacts: Connor Youngerman czy2@cornell.edu
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Windbreaks
Windbreaks are plantings of trees and/or shrubs that reduce wind speed in an agricultural area. First used…
Events
November 2026
Saturday, November 14 · 1 – 3 pm EST
Acorn Processing Workshop
Cornell Botanic Gardens Nevin Welcome Center 124 Comstock Knoll Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850
Join us to re-connect with acorns and learn how to process them into a nutritious local food source! Acorns have been utilized as a food resource by many different people and cultures for millennia. However, many modern cultures have ‘forgotten’…
$25
October 2027
October 29 – 31, 2027 · All day
Northeast Agroforestry Conference
The Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY
Whether you are curious about the ecological and financial advantages of incorporating trees into farm production systems or you already have deep expertise in agroforestry, this conference will have something for you. Hear from incredible speakers, meet others with shared…
News and Updates
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More Than Maple: Cornell Research Designs Sugarbush Agroforestry Systems
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The Cornell Maple Program is growing 18 species of perennial fruit- and nut-bearing plants within a maple sugarbush forest. They want to help maple producers be more resilient to economic challenges and extreme weather events, and offer unique products like maple-elderberry wine and maple-hazelnut spreads. Virtually all of the world’s maple syrup is produced in…
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Earth Day: A Celebration and a Call to Action
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The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago; the second-best time to plant a tree is now. This idea captures the essence of Earth Day – both a celebration of our planet and a call to action for a resilient and sustainable future. As we commemorate Earth Day this year, it’s also…
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Our Team Is Growing: Now Hiring Agroforestry Specialist
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The Cornell Small Farms Program team is continuing to grow, and we are hiring! We are excited to share that the application is now open for our newest team member, Agroforestry Extension Support Specialist. Our dynamic team is working to help diverse small farms thrive and to make farming more equitable. For this position, we’re…
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Agroforestry Webinar Series to Discuss Stewardship, Support Resources, and More
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Our Agroforestry project and the Cornell Cooperative Extension Agroforestry Program Work Team is again hosting a series of webinars this year, beginning in April. These webinars will feature expert speakers, highlighting the latest information and materials available. Agroforestry describes a wide range of practices that integrate trees, forests, and agricultural production. These systems preserve…
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Clearing a Woodland Understory
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Question: I was visiting a friend’s woodlot last fall. They had logged much of the ash due to Emerald Ash borer and expanded those openings into patches to allow for replanting with walnut. The understory was mostly buckthorn, ironwood, hornbeam and other scrubby species. They cleared the understory, in anticipation of planting, by either scraping…
Collaborators
The Cornell Agroforestry Program Work Team (PWT) is co-chaired by:
- Graham Savio, gs695@cornell.edu, Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County
- Connor Youngerman, czy2@cornell.edu, Cornell Small Farms Program
- Tracey Testo, tet35@cornell.edu, Agroforestry Resource Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension Columbia-Greene
Subscribe for Updates and Opportunities
This list-serve provides information and resources to connect small and mid-sized farmers to larger markets such as food hubs, grocery stores, restaurants, online marketplaces and cooperatives. Farmers, educators and prospective buyers are all welcome:
